Ya I'm sure if it was playoffs he would be playing. But if they can give him 7-10 days to deal with it, it will make it a lot more endurable for him in the final stretch and playoffs. Sort of reminds me of Trent Klatt and his allergies. Some days he could not put on his hockey gear, something in the fabric or cleaning process had him break out I open sores and rashes.

These systemic infections can hang around for years and be a biatch to clear up.

I think the same is true of Tanev, if this was the playoffs he would be playing but giving him 7-10 days to rest is a good idea. Problem is they need to let Bieksa rest with his nagging groin issue as well. Sure could have used some D depth at the trade deadline.

herb wrote:Good signing, although I'm not crazy about the four year term. I would have preferred a two or three year deal.

I really like Higgens as a player. He can play on basically any line, and is comfortable on either wing. He produces at a second line pace, is a solid two way player, kills penalties and works hard. He really plays the game the right way.

herb wrote:Clowe has always been more of a mucker, a net crasher, and a setup guy, while Kesler is a shoot first centre. They could work together. Clowe-Kesler-Higgens?

herb wrote:Juicy has one more year at $3M after this one. A bit of a gamble, but he's a versatile player who can play centre and wing. He has put up 65 and 52 points in the past and 42 points last year. He has won 58% of faceoffs this season.

Could be a decent low risk gamble. We need help down the middle, and especially on the faceoff dot. $3M for Jokinen may mean bye bye to Higgens or Raymond though.

herb wrote:At this point, bringing back Raymond and Higgens are no-brainer moves unless there is a better option. Unfortunately, Booth is not a better option at the moment. Hansen still has a year left, fortunately.

herb wrote:"Journeyman" Higgens played great against Edmonton - can't bitch about him.

herb wrote:I do like Pot's idea of putting Lapierre with Kassian and Raymond/Higgens/Hansen though. Knowing AV, I'm sure it will be tried. Unlike Malhotra and Pahlsson, Lapierre actually has some offensive abilities. A line of Hansen/Lapierre/Kassian would be a relentless honey badger mofo to play against.